Because of a technical issue, we are not currently able to post new information to the UI Flood Information Blog, although users may continue to view its contents. To view new postings, visit our temporary backup blog at http://uiflood2.blogspot.com. We hope to have the problem fixed soon and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

The Graduate College has posted new academic deadlines for all graduate students, which you can find here and below:

Graduate College Revised 2008 Summer Deadlines

Due to the flooding in Iowa City and consequent one-week cancellation of summer classes, the Graduate College has revised its summer 2008 deadlines as follows:

Tuesday, July 1, 2008Plans of Study for summer master’s recipientsand Final Exam Requests for all summer graduates

Monday, July 14, 2008First Deposit of Theses

Friday, July 25, 2008Final Exam Reports

Wednesday, July 30, 2008Final Deposit of Theses

Friday, August 8, 2008Degree Conferral Date

Please pass this information along to department/program faculty, staff, and graduate students. If you have any questions concerning these changes, please call Caren Cox at 319-335-2135 or e-mail caren-cox@uiowa.edu.

The Controller’s Office website -- http://www.uiowa.edu/~fuscntrl/ -- contains a flood-related special links section. Accounting Services, Property Management, Grant Accounting & Purchasing websites also have the same information. That information includes an FAQ document that seeks to address common questions. This document will be updated as necessary so please check it from time to time. And forward this information to your staff so they are aware of these resources.

The Office of Admissions has revised some aspects of the new student Orientation programs scheduled to occur this summer. Three programs in June had to be canceled in the early stages and immediate aftermath of the flooding. In addition, the Iowa Memorial Union remains closed due to water damage, and programs have been relocated to other buildings on campus.

As a result:

All future two-day programs for first-year students have been redesigned as one-day programs, and refund checks will be mailed to individuals who had reservations for the Hawkeye Dinner and overnight stays in Stanley Residence Hall.

Transfer student programs through August 22 will occur as scheduled, but in alternate locations as indicated on our web site and in correspondence to students.

Locations for August programs are still to be determined, but the programs will take place as scheduled.

All new graduate, professional, and undergraduate students expected to arrive for the fall 2008 semester were sent a message from UI President Sally Mason via e-mail. Classes will begin August 25, as scheduled.

All students registered for affected programs are being (or will be) notified of changes as soon as possible by phone, e-mail, and/or letter. In addition, Admissions has a special web site at www.uiowa.edu/admissions/orientation, to publish the revised program arrival and parking information. Questions should be addressed to the office at 800-553-IOWA.

University Hygienic Lab answers question about who should test well water

Should I be testing my water? Many people who are on private well systems are asking that question because of the recent flooding.

Nancy Hall, supervisor of environmental microbiology for the University Hygienic Laboratory (UHL), explains that the focus for testing is on wells that have been directly impacted by floodwaters.

"People whose drinking water comes from private wells should have their water tested if their wells were covered by flood water or if the well is located close to flood water, which are those located in the 100-year and 500-year flood plain," Hall said. "We have sent the message for years that people should have their well water tested once a year, and people should do this. But our priority now is to first make sure that we test the water for those families impacted by the flood who may be without safe water."

The UHL distributed hundreds of water testing kits to all county health departments affected by the flooding for this testing. These kits include supplies and instructions for collection and mailing of samples to the lab on the Oakdale Campus, just north of Iowa City. Contact your county health department to obtain a kit.

The UHL provides consultation on disease prevention, water and food safety, and disinfection of environmental surfaces. These services are particularly helpful to homeowners and businesses as they resume operations following a flood. The toll-free number for the Hygienic Lab is 800-421-IOWA (4692).

The Iowa Department of Public Health provides detailed information about precautions to following recovery and clean-up following a flood on its website.

The University Hygienic Laboratory is part of the University of Iowa and is the state of Iowa's environmental and public health laboratory. The UHL is the designated laboratory for the Iowa Neonatal Metabolic Screening Program, with facilities located on the Oakdale Campus in Iowa City and at the Iowa Lab Facilities in Ankeny, a Des Moines suburb. Among its many services, the laboratory functions as a consultative and analytical support facility for state agencies, health professionals and citizens. The UHL performs analyses on samples from virtually all matrices, including human clinical specimens, air, drinking water, wastewater, soil, sediment, industrial effluents, oil and fish.

The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid (UI OSFA) is responding to the emergency and short-term needs of students negatively impacted by the flood of 2008 with a combination of existing UI short-term loan funds and grants supported through the UI Flood Relief Fund.

The amount of support to individual students for both loans and grants will vary by individual circumstances. All students requesting special consideration for support will need to see a UI OSFA financial aid counselor. Counselors are available on a walk-in basis at 208 Calvin Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The UI OSFA will be responding to the longer-term needs of UI students by determining, on a case by case basis, if there has been a significant change in the parents' and/or students' overall financial situation as a result of disasters such as the recent flooding and tornados. In the event that a financial reassessment is possible, the student may qualify for additional federal financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.

In all cases the UI OSFA will be requesting supporting documentation to help assess the extent of financial support needed beyond other financial resources available to the family, such as Red Cross, FEMA, and insurance. The UI OSFA encourages those with questions about applying for financial aid, or about completing an existing financial aid application, to contact the office in person at 208 Calvin Hall, by phone at 319-335-1450, by email at financial-aid@uiowa.edu or by postal service at:

After a week of record-setting flooding throughout eastern Iowa, the UI and the College of Engineering resumed Summer Session classes on June 23 while working toward full recovery. With regard to college facilities, the Seamans Center received no water damage.

The Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory received sub basement flooding and remains in lock down until damage can be assessed. Faculty and staff are temporarily relocated to the Seamans Center. Ventilation of the C. Maxwell Stanley Hydraulics Laboratory began June 20.

The Engineering Research Facility, also in lock down and with undetermined water damage, has staff temporarily relocated to the National Advanced Driving Simulator. At the Iowa Advanced Technology Labs (IATL), some equipment was moved to the nearby Chemistry Building prior to IATL Suffering first-floor water damage of about 2-3 feet of water.

The University of Iowa will be back in business in the fall, and that will include the departments most affected by the flooding -- the School of Music, Theater Department and School of Art and Art History, all of which are located next to the Iowa River on the arts campus.

University of Iowa President Sally Mason noted, “This University is known for its commitment to the arts, and we will honor that commitment to the fullest.”

Among the buildings closest to the river are the UI Art Building and Art Building West. John Scott, summer director of the School of Art and Art History, said that no classes or courses had been canceled for the summer, and there are no plans to cancel any courses for the fall.

Some of the school’s facilities have been harder hit than others -- particularly the photography, ceramics, metalsmithing and sculpture studios, which were under 6 or 7 feet of water. Those studios will not be available in the fall, and the first floor of Art Building West will also not be available until recovery and repair work is completed. Classes and administrative offices will be moved to other buildings on campus, Scott said, and the school is currently identifying suitable space for the affected studio areas.

Scott said no other details are available at this time. “We are already planning for the fall, while recovery gets under way,” he said.

The Division of Performing Arts has also been hit by flooding, particularly the School of Music and the Department of Theatre Arts. Conditions are not yet known in the Theatre Building; it is fairly certain that Clapp Recital Hall and the Voxman Music Building will have to be closed in the fall. Currently, the division staff is housed in Halsey Hall with the Department of Dance. Their primary mission this summer is to identify locations on and around the UI campus for classes that have been displaced by the flood damage.

Kayt Conrad, director of operations for the division, commented: “There is much to be grateful for. We were able to save much of our costume collection, many of our musical instruments and the majority of our technology from the floodwaters.

“Insuring the continuity of our academic missions in Theatre Arts and the School of Music is our highest priority. As of today, no classes in the Division of Performing Arts have been canceled, and there are no plans to cancel any classes due to flooding. Scheduling staff in theater and music are working on relocating fall classes, performances and recitals, a process that will take several weeks to complete. The Dance Department was largely unaffected by flooding and will continue classes as usual in Halsey Hall.

“We plan to have a full schedule of School of Music, Theatre Arts and Dance events posted on departmental Web sites and on the ArtsIowa Calendar in August. We ask students to check ISIS for information on classes that have been relocated from arts campus buildings.”

The School of Art and Art History and the Division of Performing Arts are academic units of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

[University of Iowa President Sally Mason issued the following message on June 24 to new students who will begin attending the UI this fall.]

Dear New Students for Fall 2008,

The unprecedented flood emergency experienced by The University of Iowa as well as the cities of Iowa City and Coralville has reached its peak and the water is beginning to drain away.

The effort to reclaim those areas of our beloved campus and community that were directly impacted by the flood has begun in earnest. The spirit of support and cooperation is extremely high and I am pleased to share with you the optimism I see in everyone who is working to repair the damage caused by the flood.

Classes for the Summer Session resumed June 23 and should finish on schedule. This is a testament to the collaborative spirit of this great university’s faculty, staff, students, and the larger Iowa City community.

Some undergraduate first-year and transfer students will be coming to campus soon to complete their orientation and registration for fall classes. Others have completed that process and will arrive on campus in August for the start of the fall semester. Graduate and professional students will arrive on schedules recommended by their departments and colleges.

By August 25, everyone will be here and a full complement of classes will have begun. While the restoration of some parts of the campus will still be in progress when you arrive to begin fall classes, let me assure you that we will be ready for your arrival!

You can follow our progress via the University’s web site at www.uiowa.edu. I look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Officials with the University of Iowa Fleet Services announced that the fuel island was inspected today, Tuesday, June 24, and it is now back in service. There was no contamination found in the fuel and all of the pump electronics are operating normally.

The Fleet Services vehicle rental operation has temporarily relocated to Mossman Business Services Building on Riverside Drive on Old Highway 218 South in Iowa City. This is the same building that houses Printing, General Stores and Equipment Rental. To view a map, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~printsvc/PDinfo/access.html.

When the parking situation works itself out, and UI staff and faculty can park their vehicles in Lot 64 (UI Fleet Services old lot), they will move this operation to the first floor of the University Services Building. UI Fleet Services staff hope that will be later this week. When the flood waters finally recede completely, they will have a trailer placed back where it was located before the flood and will move back there. They anticipate at least three to four weeks before that will be possible.

For those picking up a car or retuning a car during this time of uncertainty please call (384-0564) before trying to find UI Fleet Services to see where they are located. When people pick up the vehicle, Fleet Services staff will let them know where to leave it, and what to do with the keys and the paperwork. They will also be calling all customers the day before the scheduled pick-up to make sure everyone knows where Fleet Services are located. Parking is still available at all locations for people to park their personal vehicle.

The University of Iowa Center for Teaching, in collaboration with the University Counseling Service, is offering resources for faculty members and students dealing with the personal and institutional losses related to the flood. The Center for Teaching homepage (www.centeach.uiowa.edu) provides a number of useful online resources under "Teaching in Times of Crisis." University Counseling Service, 3223 Westlawn, offers individual counseling to students as well as an educational program on "Resilience: Strengths in the Face of Natural Disaster.” They can be reached at 319-335-7294. Faculty and Staff Services offers counseling to faculty and staff members and their families who may have been affected by the flooding. They can be reached at 319-335-2085 for appointments or for more information.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Macbride Nature Recreation Area will be operational beginning Tuesday, June 24th. The flood waters receded more quickly than originally expected.

Due to flood debris, users are asked to not use the south end of the Bluestem Picnic Area. In addition, it is advised that users bring their own drinking water until the well water at MNRA can be tested.

Wildlife Camps will now take place at Macbride Nature Recreation Area and the originally planned drop-off locations will once again be available.

The Iowa City Foreign Relations Council's (ICFRC) Thursday, June 26 noon luncheon with the theme "German Foreign Policy under Chancellor Merkel" has been cancelled. Due to area flooding, Klaus Rupprecht, director of the Canadian Center for German and European Studies at York University in Toronto, will not be visiting the University of Iowa. ICFRC members hope to reschedule his lecture at a later date. For updates, visithttp://international.uiowa.edu/outreach/community/icfrc/events.asp

The Hancher Auditorium Box Office has just about returned to normal business, although in a temporary location due to the floods. Tickets for Iowa Summer Rep 08 may now be purchased by telephone, at 319-335-1160, or long distance 1-800-HANCHER. Tickets may also be purchased online, HERE, and over-the-counter sales are available at the Lindquist Center, South Building, Suite 107.

Please note that both individual event and advance tickets will also be on sale at the door, one hour before each Iowa Summer Rep performance in West High School. For the full schedule of Summer Rep performances, visit the ArtsIowa calendar.

Board of Regents, State of Iowa President David Miles, President Pro Tem Jack Evans and Executive Director Robert Donley were joined by University of Iowa President Sally Mason at a news conference this afternoon after they took a bus tour of areas of campus affected by the flood. The Regents thanked all those who helped in the flood response and offered their support for the continuing recovery effort. Listen to the briefing.

International students and scholars at the University of Iowa in F-1 or J-1 status are often not eligible for the same resources as U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The UI Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) has created a Web site detailing the types of funding available to those in the F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant categories. The list includes information on financial support, housing, food, clothing, furniture, moving and clean-up assistance and short term loans for students. Other resources are being added regularly. International students and scholars are strongly urged to check the OISS Web site at http://international.uiowa.edu/oiss/documents/Flood-Assistance.pdf or send e-mail to oiss@uiowa.edu.

The University of Iowa Upward Bound Project is cancelled for the entire summer due to the flooding. Participants are being notified directly by Upward Bound staff.

An estimated 62 students were signed up to participate in the 2008 Upward Bound Project, said Upward Bound Director Jeanne Meyer. The program serves high school students who would be the first in their family to receive a college degree and/or whose family’s income met U. S. Department of Education guidelines.

The UI Police Department is continuing to operate its Nite Ride Program, the UI’s safe means for late transportation service for women only. The phone number is 319-384-1111.

The programs offers women on campus a free, safe ride home. With a number of summer sessions, sports camps and the university community still being active in the summer months, the UI Department of Public Safety has continued the program even though a number of activities have been cancelled or postponed due to the flooding situation.

Nite Ride uses a light gold, 15-passenger van. By dialing 319-384-1111, callers are connected with the van driver, who can give a current location and an estimated pickup time.

The Hillcrest Market Place food service in Hillcrest Residence Hall is now open for service. The current hours for Hillcrest Market Place are: Breakfast, 7 to 8:30 a.m.; Lunch, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Dinner, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Iowa Testing Programs Summer Professional Development Series has been postponed and did not begin as scheduled on June 19. Participating teachers will be notified with updated information as it becomes available.

[NOTE: This is an updated message.] If you are sending campus mail to individuals who have been moved due to flooding, please continue to use their OLD campus mail address. Mail Services will reroute items as soon as the new locations are posted on the relocations web page. Until they are posted, mail will be held in the Campus Mail area of the Mossman Building.

Residents in 36 Iowa counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25 and continuing, can register with FEMA either online or by phone.

Homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations can register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairments, or they can register online anytime at the FEMA site. The toll-free telephone numbers are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice.

By registering, applicants can be considered for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Assistance can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious, necessary disaster-related expenses such as damaged personal property, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest loans from the SBA also are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they have insurance. FEMA does not duplicate insurance payments or pay deductibles, but applicants may be eligible for assistance with serious, necessary expenses not covered by insurance. Those who find themselves under-insured may be reconsidered after claims have been settled.

Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations. When registering, applicants should provide current contact information, insurance information, a brief description of damage sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property.

Additional information on disaster assistance programs can be found online at:

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

On Friday, June 20th University Housing notified Hawkeye Court tenants that they would be allowed to move back into the apartments beginning on Sunday for those who live in 100s, 500s and 600s. Others who live in the 200's, 300s and 400s will be allowed to move back in on Monday at 8 a.m. The parking lots of the 200s and 300-400s had to be cleaned and housing officials were not certain they would be done before 8 a.m. on Monday. By Monday, all tenants will be allowed back in except those who live in 301-376, the apartments which were directly affected by the floodwaters. Staff gave keys and cleaning supplies to all tenants today from 1-5 p.m. On Monday staff will also offer a shuttle for tenants that need help in returning to hawkeye court.